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Dozens of animal species that are in regular contact with humans could be vulnerable to infection with the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19, according to new research.
Domestic cats and dogs could be affected, as well as minks, lions and tigers, all of which have reported cases, and ferrets and macaques, which have been infected in laboratory studies.
Animals could end up spreading the disease or becoming reservoirs for the virus, reintroducing it into the human population in the future, say scientists at University College London (UCL).
Tigers have been infected with COVID-19
The researchers investigated whether mutations in the ACE2 enzyme in 215 other animals would prevent the coronavirus using it to enter cells, as it does in humans.
However, they found that for some animals, including sheep and great apes, from chimpanzees to gorillas, proteins could bind just as tightly as they do in humans.
With some of the animals, such as sheep, no infection tests have been performed that affirmatively show that the animal may be infected.
UCL professor Christine Orengo said: “We wanted to look beyond the animals that had been experimentally studied, to see which animals might be at risk of infection, and we would warrant further research and possible monitoring.”
“The animals we identify may be at risk of outbreaks that could threaten endangered species or damage farmers’ livelihoods,” he warned.
“Animals could also act as reservoirs for the virus, with the potential to re-infect humans later, as has been documented in mink farms.”
To investigate the animals, the researchers performed detailed structural analyzes to see how infection risks differed between animal species.
They found that most birds, fish and reptiles did not appear to be at risk of infection, but most of the mammals they studied could potentially be infected with COVID-19.
Professor Orengo said: “The details of host infection and the severity of the response are more complex than the spike protein interactions with ACE2, so our research continues to explore interactions involving other host virus proteins.” .
Dr. Su Datt Lam from UCL, first author of the study, said: “Unlike laboratory experiments, the computational analyzes that we design can be performed automatically and quickly.
“Thus, these methods could easily be applied to future virus outbreaks that are unfortunately becoming more common due to human invasion of natural habitats.”
Professor Joanne Santini, also from UCL, said: “To protect animals, as well as to protect ourselves from the risk of one day contracting COVID-19 from an infected animal, we need large-scale surveillance of animals, particularly those pets and farm animals, to detect cases or groups early on while they are still manageable. “
“It may also be important to use hygiene measures when dealing with animals, similar to the behaviors we have all been learning this year to reduce transmission, and isolate infected people from animals and other people,” he added.
